THE LIVING TRADITION REVIEW

REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

AOIFE SCOTT - Carry The Day Wendypops Records WENR001

Twelve contemporary folk songs make up this assured and engaging debut album from Aoife Scott. With a voice that is everything to be expected of the daughter of Frances Black and the niece of Mary Black, Aoife’s expertise shines through in clear and silky vocals.

The songs’ subject matter ranges from family relationships to social issues and aspects of Irish life and landscape. Attractive melodies feature throughout, epitomised in Down By The Shelleybanks, and Briege Murphy’s poignant Hills Of South Armagh. There are also fine variations in pace, from upbeat versions of Si Kahn’s What You Do With What You’ve Got and Eoghan Scott’s Deep Dark Water, to the gentle lilt of Sharyn Dimmock’s wistful Wallflower Waltz and Don Mascall’s touching Growing Years. Adrian Lawlor’s tale of the fascinating Eleanor Ambrose is another stand-out, where a historical story is told in a complex melody and neat rhymes.

Six tracks have been penned by Aoife herself in conjunction with the renowned Irish singer-songwriter Enda Reilly. These include the soothing Gaelic Sian Leat, and the jaunty single All Along The Wild Atlantic Way.

Aoife’s beautiful singing is backed by a cluster of highly experienced musicians who provide subtle and supportive accompaniment on fiddle, banjo, harp, accordion, piano, guitars and bouzouki. A booklet with notes on the songs and photographs accompanies the CD.

With catchy tunes which linger in the mind, and Aoife’s honeyed tones and delicate vocal inflections, Carry The Day is an accomplished production and satisfying listen, a firm foundation for the future.